Timepiece

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a frame, at least one driving gear ( 2 ), and at least one tourbillon mechanism including: a first cage ( 4 ) which can rotate about a first axis (A) and on which a balance ( 6 ) and an escapement gear are pivotably mounted, said escapement gear being formed by an escape wheel and an escape pinion; a second cage ( 8 ) rotatably movable about a second axis (B) and supporting the first cage ( 4 ); and a third cage ( 10 ) rotatably movable about a third axis (C), said third cage ( 10 ) supporting the first and second cages ( 4, 8 ) and kinematically driving same. Two of the first, second and third axes (A, B, C) are perpendicular to one another, with the remaining first, second or third axis (A, B, C) forming an angle other than 0° and 90° with one of the other two axes (A, B, C).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A timepiece comprising a frame, at least one driving wheel, and at least one tourbillon mechanism comprising:
 a first cage rotatable around a first axis and on which are mounted a balance and an escapement mobile formed of an escapement wheel and escapement pinion, 
 a second cage rotatable around a second axis and supporting said first cage, 
 a third cage rotatable around a third axis, said third cage supporting said first and second cages and driving them kinematically, 
 
       wherein two of the first, second and third axes are perpendicular to one another and in that the remaining axis of the first, second and third axes forms an angle different from 0° and 90° with one of the other two of the first, second and third axes. 
     
     
       2. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the remaining axis of the first, second and third axes forms an angle comprised between 1° and 89°, preferably between 46° and 89°, and more preferably between 60° and 85°, with one of the other two of the first, second and third axes. 
     
     
       3. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the second axis of the second cage is perpendicular to the third axis of the third cage, and in that the first axis of the first cage forms, with the second axis of the second cage, an angle comprised between 1° and 89°, preferably between 46° and 89°, and more preferably between 60° and 85°. 
     
     
       4. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the second axis of the second cage is perpendicular to the third axis of the third cage, and in that the first axis of the first cage forms, with the second axis of the second cage, an angle comprised between 1° and 89°, preferably between 46° and 89°, and more preferably between 60° and 85°. 
     
     
       5. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the balance is pivotally mounted around a fourth axis, said fourth axis of the balance forming an angle equal to 0° with the first axis of the first cage. 
     
     
       6. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the balance is pivotally mounted around a fourth axis, said fourth axis of the balance forming an angle equal to 0° with the first axis of the first cage. 
     
     
       7. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the balance is pivotally mounted around a fourth axis, said fourth axis of the balance forming an angle different from 0° with the first axis of the first cage. 
     
     
       8. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the balance is pivotally mounted around a fourth axis, said fourth axis of the balance forming an angle different from 0° with the first axis of the first cage. 
     
     
       9. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein a first fixed wheel is mounted secured on the second cage, said first fixed wheel cooperating with the escapement pinion. 
     
     
       10. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein a first fixed wheel is mounted secured on the second cage, said first fixed wheel cooperating with the escapement pinion. 
     
     
       11. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cage comprises a first arbor extending along the first axis, said first arbor being pivotally mounted on the second cage and being secured with a first driving wheel of the first cage, and in that a second fixed wheel is mounted secured on the third cage, said first driving wheel of the first cage cooperating with said second fixed wheel. 
     
     
       12. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the first cage comprises a first arbor extending along the first axis, said first arbor being pivotally mounted on the second cage and being secured with a first driving wheel of the first cage, and in that a second fixed wheel is mounted secured on the third cage, said first driving wheel of the first cage cooperating with said second fixed wheel. 
     
     
       13. Timepiece according to  claim 7 , wherein an intermediate gear train is pivotally mounted on the second cage, said intermediate gear train kinematically connecting the second fixed wheel to the first driving wheel of the first cage. 
     
     
       14. Timepiece according to  1 , wherein the second cage comprises a second arbor extending along the second axis, said second arbor being pivotally mounted on the third cage and being secured to a second driving wheel of the second cage, and in that a third fixed wheel is mounted secured on the frame, said second driving wheel of the second cage cooperating with said third fixed wheel. 
     
     
       15. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the second cage comprises a second arbor extending along the second axis, said second arbor being pivotally mounted on the third cage and being secured to a second driving wheel of the second cage, and in that a third fixed wheel is mounted secured on the frame, said second driving wheel of the second cage cooperating with said third fixed wheel. 
     
     
       16. Timepiece according to  claim 1 , wherein the third cage comprises a third arbor extending along the third axis, said third arbor being pivotably mounted on the frame and being secured to a third driving wheel of the third cage cooperating with the driving wheel. 
     
     
       17. Timepiece according to  claim 2 , wherein the third cage comprises a third arbor extending along the third axis, said third arbor being pivotably mounted on the frame and being secured to a third driving wheel of the third cage cooperating with the driving wheel.